TV's Queen of Green to energise Peak District communities

This is an archived press release

BBC2’s
"Queen of Green", Penney Poyzer, will be energising Peak District communities at a "21st
Century Village Conference" in Bakewell on Saturday September 29.

Penney,
whose "No Waste Like Home" programme helps householders cut energy costs, is the keynote speaker
at the conference which will show how communities can launch renewable energy schemes for themselves.

Another TV figure, former BBC and Channel 4 environment correspondent Alistair
McDonald, will chair a "Question Time" panel of experts.

Some 200
people from community action groups across the Peak District are expected to attend the event at Lady
Manners School – the first to be organized by the newly-formed Peak District Sustainable Energy Group.

Local
role-models will include Youlgrave and Ilam – leading the way with ambitious energy efficiency plans
such as a methane digester using farm slurry, hydro-power and low-energy light-bulbs throughout the
community.

Both villages have received grants from the Peak District Sustainable
Development Fund, whose manager Richard Godley said: "This is the first opportunity in the Peak
District for local community activists to learn from each other about renewable energy projects for
villages and organisations.

"We’ll be advising people on how to get organized,
who to approach for grants and information, and how to develop their ideas into practical solutions."

The
event will include displays from community groups and energy companies, workshops on funding and practical
issues, speakers and individual expert advice.

The event is free, from 10am
to 4pm, with a buffet and crèche provided. Bookings for these are essential on www.derbyshirercc.org.uk
Click on Sustainable Energy, and then on Conference. Or ring the Derbyshire Rural Community Council
on 01629 824797 in office hours and ask for the "21st Century Village Conference" office.

The
Peak District Sustainable Energy Group is a partnership of the Derbyshire Rural Community Council, Peak
District National Park Authority, Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service, High Peak and Staffordshire
Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services, High Peak and Derbyshire Dales ProHelp, Derbyshire Diocese,
Sustainable Youlgrave, Derbyshire Dales District Council, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire
Moorlands District Council.